Quote Originally Posted by sschind View Post
Wow, I didn't mean for my comments to cause such a stir. Or maybe I did

Anyway, just a few details as I was told them about the massasauga pictures in my OP. The pictures were taken as the snakes were found basking, no flipping or other manipulation of the snakes had occurred. The pictures were taken on public land. There were no distinguishing landscape feature that would enable anyone to ID the are where they were found. The pictures were posted on a personal website (which is not active any more) with only the caption E. massasauga in Southern Wisconsin The discussion with the DNR agent was through PM and email. Specific threats of arrest were not made but insinuations that arrests could be made if the animals were disturbed in any way. The DNR agent knew exactly where the pictures were taken at from the photographers very limited description to him (public land in a particular county) The DNR agent admitted that the photographer had not broken any laws but kept saying things like "If you did..." and "People might..." The photos were left up for a couple of weeks then removed, I guess they didn't so much make him take them down as they convinced him that it wasn't worth it to keep them up.

I think this was a fishing expedition by this particular DNR agent who was hoping to uncover something big. When no "incriminating" evidence was forthcoming the subject was dropped. I've had offers from another friend to take me to the spot but we haven't been able to work out a date yet.

I also had a customer tell me they had a E. massasauga on their property that the DNR did not know about and she had no intention of telling them and I don't blame her. She showed me some pretty cool pictures and even some of babies. She said its on a back corner of the property and they usually give it a wide berth because of the snakes and only about a half a dozen close family members actually know they are there. They check it out a couple of time a year just to make sure the snakes are still there and they had seen babies in something like 4 of the past 6 years (it was about 4 years ago when I was told this and she has not been in since so I don't know the current status)

Anyway, the picture of the tetrataenia were beautiful. I would love to be able to see them in the wild (or as wild as any of their current habitat can be) I'm not sure if I would take pictures because my photography skills suck but just being able to say I've seen them would be a thrill. I do understand the laws and why they are there and the extent that officials can go to protect species but I think they go way too far sometimes. It does seem that with certain agencies, cough cough...the dnr... the concept of innocent until proven guilty is a completely foreign concept.
People here are easily stirred, believe me. Especially about things they are passionate about. I've probably done far more unintentional stirring here, than intentional. You just sort of step in it.

I can tell you that photographing tetrataenia isn't easy. They are extremely flighty and will quickly disappear across water and into vegetation. Persuing them, or touching them in any way is definitely not legal. Your only option is in situ and they aren't usually very cooperative. But, that's what makes it worth the effort, and makes the photos that much more worth obtaining.